The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Gunner’s Mate Second Class Leo F. Spurgeon, United States Navy, for heroic conduct off Guadalcanal on 13 November 1942. After his ship, the U.S.S. MONSSEN (DD-436), had been damaged by Japanese fire and abandoned, Gunner’s Mate Second Class Spurgeon, along with two others, returned to the burning vessel the following morning and assisted in locating and evacuating eight wounded shipmates still alive.